PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Kruglov (ranked 1041 p4p, 1331 weight class) and Marlon Raynard (ranked 138 p4p, 178 weight class). Kruglov comes to the cage accompanied by МИХАИЛ КРУГ - Владимирский централ. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kruglov
vs
Raynard

175 cm
23
179
8 - 4 - 0

180 cm
30
180
15 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Champion Apparel

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viktor Kruglov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marlon Raynard!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruglov loads up on a big right hand but Raynard slips the punch.
Kruglov misses with a left hand
and Raynard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Raynard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kruglov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raynard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Kruglov to counter with a crisp jab.
Raynard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kruglov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raynard with the counter takedown but Kruglov avoids it easily.
Kruglov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kruglov throws a body punch but Raynard moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raynard gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Raynard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kruglov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Raynard at a distance.
Kruglov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raynard throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raynard takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Raynard shoots and misses
and Kruglov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kruglov with a hook.
Kruglov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A jab lands there for Kruglov.

It looks like Marlon Raynard has been cut.
Kruglov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raynard moves away.
Kruglov leaves Raynard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Viktor Kruglov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlon Raynard.

Kruglov gets tackled into the cage by Raynard. Raynard maintains the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kruglov lands a left hand.

Raynard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kruglov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Both fighters circling a little - Kruglov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov swings widly with a right hand

and Raynard holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kruglov lands a shoulder strike.

Kruglov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Kruglov finds it's way through Raynard's defenses.
Viktor Kruglov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Raynard has closed the distance and engaged Kruglov in a clinch.
Kruglov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kruglov avoids the elbow strike from Raynard, against the cage.
Kruglov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Raynard manages to break the clinch.
Raynard shoots in but Kruglov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kruglov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Raynard misses with a takedown attempt
and Kruglov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raynard takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kruglov lands with a right hand.
Kruglov lands a jab.
Kruglov throws a lazy head kick

and Raynard counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Raynard jumps guard but Kruglov stands there with Raynard around his waist. Raynard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Kruglov breaks the clinch.
Kruglov looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Raynard moves into the clinch.

Kruglov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kruglov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kruglov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kruglov sets himself, and Raynard steps forward looking for the clinch! Kruglov avoids it this time.
That kick from Kruglov tenderised Raynard's leg. Raynard is trying to keep his angry face on.
A jab from Kruglov does it's job there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kruglov misses with an uppercut. Raynard saw that one coming.
Raynard throws out a counter right but Kruglov avoids it with no problem.
Kruglov scores with a jab.
Kruglov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Raynard moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Raynard shoots in for a takedown but Kruglov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Raynard looks to land a combination but Kruglov avoids it well.
Kruglov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Kruglov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raynard.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kruglov. That's going to slow Raynard down.
Kruglov throws out a powerful jab.
Kruglov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It seemed like Raynard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kruglov looks to land a left hand but Raynard moved out of range nicely.
Raynard darts in trying to clinch
and Kruglov counters with an outside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Kruglov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marlon Raynard's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kruglov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Raynard wants to slow Kruglov down by chopping away at his legs.
Raynard needs to keep his hands up - Kruglov had a free shot at his head there.
Raynard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kruglov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kruglov. That's going to slow Raynard down.
Raynard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kruglov but Kruglov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruglov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Raynard stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kruglov scores with a spinning back kick!
Viktor Kruglov is winning the standup battle so far.
A low kick lands for Kruglov.
Kruglov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Despite the aggression on Raynard's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruglov throws a shot to the body.
Kruglov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And Raynard tries to counter it with a takedown but Kruglov pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Raynard closes the distance and clinches.
Raynard tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kruglov avoids it.
Kruglov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raynard can do to turn this around?
Kruglov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Kruglov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Raynard wants to clinch up but Kruglov keeps it at a distance.
Raynard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kruglov throws out the jab.
Kruglov moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromRaynard.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kruglov.
Kruglov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Raynard's hands.
Raynard shoots in and drives through. Kruglov sprawls well.
Viktor Kruglov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlon Raynard.
Kruglov slaps away a takedown attempt from Raynard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Raynard shoots for a double leg takedown but Kruglov sprawls well. He's pushed Raynard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Raynard is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kruglov throws a front kick aimed at Raynard's knee but Raynard avoids it well.
A right-left combo lands from Kruglov.
Marlon Raynard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raynard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kruglov lands with a thumping leg kick.
A good leg kick by Kruglov.
Raynard's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Raynard has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Raynard there as he acknowledges the shot.
Raynard misses with a head kick.
Kruglov connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice body punch from Kruglov.
Raynard throws a head kick that misses.
Raynard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That has opened up Marlon Raynard's cut even more.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kruglov.
Kruglov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kruglov scores with a kick to the body.
Raynard fails with the takedown
and Kruglov counters with a body kick that stops Raynard in his tracks momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kruglov. Raynard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raynard is trying desperately to land a takedown but Kruglov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Raynard.
Kruglov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That kick from Kruglov tenderised Raynard's leg. Raynard is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kruglov scores with a nice body kick.
Kruglov throws the left hand but Raynard avoids the punch easily.
Raynard tries to counter with a clinch but Kruglov shakes him off and moves away.
Kruglov keeps Raynard at a distance using the push kick.
Kruglov jabs Raynard to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Raynard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raynard on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruglov throws a body kick that misses.
Kruglov throws a looping overhand right but Raynard ducks down to avoid it.
Raynard moves out of range as Kruglov throws a body kick.
Kruglov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Raynard wants to clinch up but Kruglov keeps it at a distance.

Raynard moves into the clinch.
Kruglov lands with a right to the head.
Raynard has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kruglov seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Raynard can turn it around.
Kruglov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kruglov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Raynard looking for a takedown.

Kruglov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Kruglov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marlon Raynard's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kruglov moves into range and clinches up with Raynard.
Kruglov digs a right hand into Raynard's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Raynard's gas tank.

Kruglov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kruglov swings for the body but Raynard moves out of range.
Raynard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kruglov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Raynard has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kruglov.
Kruglov swinging wildly here.
Kruglov lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Kruglov.

Kruglov closes the distance and clinches.
Kruglov gets through Raynard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raynard misses with a body punch.
Kruglov scores with a shot to the side of Raynard's head.
Kruglov is trying to break free.
Kruglov is trying to break the clinch but Raynard has him pressed against the cage.

Kruglov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kruglov scores with a nice head shot.
Kruglov scores with a jab to the head.
Kruglov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Raynard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kruglov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Raynard moves out of range as Kruglov throws a body kick.
Raynard steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kruglov. That one must have hurt.
Raynard pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raynard takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruglov throws a poor cross that misses
and Raynard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Raynard walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kruglov throws a body punch but Raynard moves out of range.
Kruglov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raynard manages to avoid it.
Kruglov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kruglov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kruglov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kruglov punishes Raynard's body with a nice straight punch.
Raynard has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Raynard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Kruglov drives through and clinches with Raynard against the cage.
Kruglov misses with a punch to the body.
Viktor Kruglov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Raynard manages to pull guard.

Kruglov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kruglov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Raynard.
Raynard wants to clinch.
Marlon Raynard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raynard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Raynard is looking to clinch but Kruglov is avoiding it.
Kruglov is looking to counter punch.
Kruglov cracks Raynard with a good jab.
Kruglov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kruglov missing with a left hand there. Raynard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Raynard unleashes a big counter combination but Kruglov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Raynard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kruglov lands with a thumping leg kick.

Kruglov gets a clinch.
Kruglov taking a breather.
Raynard has Kruglov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kruglov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Viktor Kruglov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlon Raynard.
A head punch on the inside from Kruglov fails to land.
Kruglov just leaning against Raynard, taking a breather.
Kruglov digs a right hand into Raynard's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Raynard's gas tank.

Kruglov manages to break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruglov misses with a head kick.
Kruglov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kruglov jabs at Raynard's body.
Raynard throws a series of punches but Kruglov moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Kruglov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viktor Kruglov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kruglov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Kruglov!
Viktor Kruglov thanked the fans post fight for their support.